Maravi

Chingola PF councillors differ with mayor over plots

Chingola PF councillors differ with mayor over plots
By Mwila Chansa-Ntambi in Kitwe
Sat 18 Feb. 2012, 11:59 CAT

IT had to take the intervention of Rebby Chanda, the Patriotic Front Copperbelt Province chairperson, to thwart Chingola PF councillors' attempt to impeach their mayor Ventor Kalebaila for allegedly not giving them plots, The Post understands.

According to well-placed sources in Chingola, PF councillors were up against Kalebaila and had even collected signatures to the effect that he should be impeached for not only failing to give them plots but also allegedly siding with management on a number of issues.

The sources disclosed that Chanda counselled the councillors against impeaching the mayor on trivial grounds because the mayor was just a law-abiding citizen who was following the law in the discharge of his civic duties.

The source added that some PF councillors in Chingola were after plots as could be evidenced by the disagreements that had began emerging in some wards in the district over illegal allocation of plots.

"The councillors are saying the mayor is not giving them plots and that he is weak because he is siding with management, so they wanted to impeach him. But the mayor insisted that the councillors should also follow the same process other citizens are subjected to; as in plots should be advertised and then people should apply," the source said.

"Recently, there was even a meeting at Chingola Basic School on instruction of the provincial chairman to the district officials to discuss the same issue. The councillors were told that the mayor is on the right path."

When contacted, Chanda confirmed his intervention in the disagreements over plots.

"That's right. You can't know, maybe it's overzealousness on the part of our people councillors," Chanda said.

Chanda added that Chingola residents expected a lot from the councillors in terms of addressing the many social challenges the district was faced with and not fights over plots.

He however said all the issues had been resolved.

Chanda said plans were underway to sensitise the councillors on the duties of a civic leader.

Labels: CHINGOLA, IMPEACHMENT, LAND, PF

posted by MrK @ 5:29 PM